Sunday, 14 October 2012

Knitting and Stitch Show 2012

Today I went on my annual trip to the Knitting & Stitch Show. Usually I see lots of lovely threads but don't have any particular piece to use them on. This year I went with not one but two pieces in my bag and still didn't buy any threads. The show seemed particularly busy this year and the thought of getting my work out on the stands wasn't very attractive. I did buy this piece of work by Wendy Rudd though and I know just where it's going.

There were other pieces that I would have liked to buy and one of them was by Jae Maries. I think Jae's work offers so much to look at and discover. There's subtle layers and textures and I am left admiring how she makes all the elements come together like she does. Unfortunately, you won't be able to see all the detail from my photograph.

I would also have liked to take one of Hilary Hollingworth's pieces home. Unfortunately, I don't have a photograph of the piece because it was tucked in a corner and difficult to photograph. There were lots of pieces that I liked and not all could be photographed. Here are some where the technique also intrigued me. This piece was by Sian Martin and although the piece was hanging in strips the image could still clearly be seen.

Another eye catcher was the cross stitch car door on the Mr X Stitch exhibition stand. If you follow the link you will see details from the exhibition and it's worth a look.

And the detail of the work:

Another intriguing piece in the Mr X Stitch exhibition was by Diem Chau. How does that very fine fabric stick so seamlessly (no pun intended) to the bowl?

﻿

I thought this Tea Bag bowl by Barbara Cotterell looked great. How do people think of these things?

Coming back to fabric and stitch, I found this piece by Val Holmes inspiring for my own work. II has a simple landscape structure and has lots of variety in the colours and marks in the foreground. The green section on the horizon line is the only part of the piece that's stitched. When I've finished my square pieces I have promised myself I will go back to landscapes. ﻿

Before I finish this post, I'd like to bring up the topic of photography. Why is it that some people positively encourage you to take photographs and to share them with others (Mr X Stitch for example) and others have signs telling you that it would be disrespectful to the artist if you were to take a photograph? Can anyone explain?

6 comments:

I spent all day there on Friday and thought I'd seen everything at least twice, but I still seem to have missed things! I'm particularly cross I missed the stitched car door. Happens to me every year...I think with photos, people are very wary of things getting on the internet without credit being given to the artist. That is the way ideas can be "stolen" - but then again, I didn't think you could copyright an idea...don't know.

I can understand the ooncerns about not getting the appropriate credit but if I was trying to make a living out of it (& I'm glad I'm not!) I think I would be glad of anything, well most things, that raised my profile. Some ideas could also be stolen by making notes on the paper or indeed by purchasing the piece and copying. Maybe if they saw my photography skills they would be less worried!

I was at the Show for a few hours on Saturday and we seem to have been attracted to the same pieces. (I havn't had chance to blog mine yet). I am always frustrated by the 'No photography' signs too. It must be the fear of ideas being copied I suppose but it's so unlikely that anyone could copy anything exactly. I like to take photos of pieces that inspire me but not with any thoughts of reproducing them stitch for stitch. Sometimes it's just an aide memoire or something I may want to try out.

I look at the pieces of work that I photographed and I certainly wouldn't be able to copy them, even if I was so inclined. Yet some people don't seem to worry about it and positively encourage it. Maybe they are more confident that their work can't be easily copied but like the thought that their work may have inspired others?

Thank you Marian, the profile photo is a fabric collage self portrait I made as a bit of fun. I was pleased with how it turned out as I don't reckon to be able to do portraits.

I think you are probably right about the confidence of some artists over others. I am not a professional artist so probably have a different view of how generous one should be with one's work but I have the greatest admiration for artists who are prepared to share their work to encourage others. We are all the sum of a lot of parts of learning, experience and inspiration, not least from studying the work of other artists and I am happy to share everything I make or attempt. However much I studied a photograph, as you say, I could never reproduce another artist's work, nor would I want to. I havn't forgotten about my landscape sketch that I was going to show you. It wasn't where I thought it was but I will keep looking!

Another reason has been suggested to me as to why artists don't like you to take photographs of their work....they like to control the quality of the images of their work in circulation. I know from personal experience how difficult it is to represent the true colours of my work in photographs. If I had worked hard to get the 'right' colours for my piece would it matter to me if the images of my work showed different colours - well yes it would.

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About Me

I enjoy creating unique textiles. In particular, I enjoy printing and hand embroidering cloth.
In 2011, I completed my City & Guilds Diploma in Embroidery and I feel that I am now starting to find and explore my own preferred way of working.
I love increasing my knowledge and skills and I will often be found attending a textile related course on a Saturday.
During the week I am a Project Manager in the Financial Services Industry.